Drinking Alcohol in the Parking Lot

[Bainard]

"It has long been recognized that the problems with alcohol relate not to the use of a bad thing, but to the abuse of a good thing." A. Lincoln

In a perfect world all people would use alcohol responsibly. Why should I be denied the pleasures of an adult beverage due to other's inability to act in a responsible manner? I frequently enjoy a bevarage or two at the park, occasionally to the point of a pleasant "buzz", however I show self control and stop before the effects are to the point that I pose a danger to myself or others. In fact I stop before the effects are outwardly visible. If you met me at the park the only way you would ever know that I had touhed a drop of alcohol was if you saw it in my hands. On the occasions I do so I either do not drive home or if I must I put down the cup early enough and stay late enough that the alcohol is out of my system before I make it to the parking lot. Even when I choose to be "irresponsibe" with alcohol (never at the park) I do so in a responsible manner, ensuring that myself and any others with me will not be driving, etc. Why should my liberties be impinged because of the actions of a few? Keep in mind that all listed examples of individuals misusing\abusing alcohol, grills, etc. above are a visible yet overwelming MINORITY. What percentage of guests every day at the park have at least one alcoholic drink? Now, what percentage of those cause any kind of problem whatsoever? I assure you the problems represent a fraction of a percent. If we were to ban all those things that can cause others harm when used in an irresponsible manner we wouldn't have ANYTHING left in the world. Even water can be toxic in large enough ammounts, pencils can stab, rocks can injure. Every day we are faced with individuals doing things that we do not agree with and that will never go away, if it doesn't affect you, move on. This is why in order to function in the world we all need to learn tollerance. Keep in mind by the very nature of the word we are not implying we LIKE everything others do, we learn to TOLLERATE it.

I know this little soapbox rant is somewhat OT but having read through some replies advocating the overal elinination of alcohol from the park (and in one instance from overall existance) I felt compelled to speak my little piece. While everyone it entiled their opinion, I feel that it is a slippery slope when we advocate banning things simply because a visible minority are irresponsible. Consequences for the viloators, not for all.

[medford]

to alter the direction of this discussion a bit, I see and understand why using a typical grille (gas or charcol) would be prohibited, but what about the newer electric models? I neither own, plan to own, or even if I did own plan to set up an electric grill in KI's parking lot, but I don't see any additional risks present from running an electric grill.

[Beerman_IPA]

Hopefully i don't ruffle anyones panties, but if you conceal a beer in a water bottle you could probably get away with it. I usually don't drink at the park except during the haunt i may have a beer or two. I sometime put a brewski in my 20oz aluminum water bottle for a pre-beer in the lot due to the lack of craft beer at the park. Otherwise, a couple beers before then 4 or 5 hours of walking and eating pizza will sober up anybody provided they just had a beer or two. I don't see anything wrong with it. There are a lot of things that are 'illegal' in the state of ohio that are pretty stupid, drinking beer in a private parking lot i guess is one of them. True, if KI doesn't want it then they have every right to enforce it, i will take my risks until they start carrying better beer. Below is a list i found online for dumb ohio laws...just saying, if its illigal, doesn't mean you have to abide.

• Women are prohibited from wearing patent leather shoes in public.
  
• It is illegal to get a fish drunk. (darn)
  
• The Ohio driver's education manual states that you must honk the horn whenever you pass another car. (thats why i get called a honky...)
  
• No one may be arrested on Sunday or on the Fourth of July. (these are the days to have fun!)
  
• Participating or conducting a duel is prohibited (this is actually legal now. A lawyer friend advised me it was made legal a few years back when they rivised a code. Obviously if you kill a participant then its murder but the act of Dueling is no longer illigal...go duel away my friends..)
  
• Breast feeding is not allowed in public.
  
• In Ohio, if you ignore an orator on Decoration day to such an extent as to publicly play croquet or pitch horseshoes within one mile of the speaker's stand, you can be fined $25.00.
  
• It is illegal for more than five women to live in a house. (sucks for those families with 4 or more daughters and the mother living under the same roof)
• It is illegal for stores to sell corn flakes on Sunday.(apparently only in Columbus Ohio but hey...its a dumb law that i have broken numerous times)

[Gabe]

Since when is drinking beer in a parking lot stupid? Cars park there. Cars drive in and out. Pedestrians abound. Drunk people present a huge liability. Walking around the park drunk wil get you tossed and/or arrested. The difference is that, unlike the above foolish and outdated laws, Kings Island takes drinking on its property very seriously, as should everyone. Some laws, like that one, will be enforced much more stringently than the above ones. A threat in an effort to carry better beer rings hollow.

[teenageninja]

Since when is drinking beer in a parking lot stupid? Cars park there. Cars drive in and out. Pedestrians abound. Drunk people present a huge liability. Walking around the park drunk wil get you tossed and/or arrested. The difference is that, unlike the above foolish and outdated laws, Kings Island takes drinking on its property very seriously, as should everyone. Some laws, like that one, will be enforced much more stringently than the above ones. A threat in an effort to carry better beer rings hollow.

Oh he's such a threat sitting in the parking lot before going into the park.

While we are at it, maybe we should ban shoes in the park, so you don't trip over your shoe laces or step on the back of someone's shoes.

Wet bathroom floor? Better shut it down till it dries.

He's having 1 beer, not a case, chill out.

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

I personally saw my security supervisor force a couple of people sitting on the grassy area to dump all of their beer they were drinking and were advised that it is against park rules to drink alcohol on park property. If you are in your car drinking and Mason PD, who actively patrols the lot) observe you drinking in your car will do one of three things: Test you for being DUI if you have physical control of your car, cite you for having an open container or if you are lucky, force you to dump all of your beer. Mason PD will give you no break if you stopped for DUI or are parked drinking in your car if you have physical control. They have a zero tolerance for drinking and driving, as do other police units in the area.

[The Interpreter]

I'm sure Mason's policy is all about safety and in no way connected to raising revenue.

Just like DC's traffic cameras.

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

At least in Ohio, there is a bill at the Senate that will prohibit traffic cameras in the state. Once the Senate passes it and the governor signs it, it will become law, as it should be in all states.

[The Interpreter]

They are already illegal in West Virginia.

DC is not a state.

"Taxation Without Representation" -- DC License Plate

[zombiejane]

Whether you agree with it it not, the rules are in place for a reason.

With that being said, when you're at the park, be respectful and do your drinking/smoking in designated areas.

While many of you argue that there is nothing wrong with one or two drinks in the parking lot while having lunch, others may drink more and become a risk to others in the lot/park/roads.

And, it's harder to monitor consumption in the parking lot than it is in the park.

I also had my previous car damaged by an inebriated man thinking it would be REALLY FUN to climb all over my car...so, there is that aspect.

(while it didn't happen at KI, there always is that possibility).